Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The WVDNR has its annual call out for Cooperative Research and Educational/Management Grants. This is a great opportunity for Master Naturalists to use and share what they have learned. Topics for Educational/Management projects include:

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Sunday Nov. 8th from 2pm to 5pmCommunity open house - come celebrate the official unveiling of the Friends of Deckers Creek Outdoor Learning Park! This dedication ceremony will recognize the numerous community partners and volunteers that made this beautiful outdoor learning space possible. Warm beverages and snacks provided. Everyone is welcome!Location : FODC Outdoor Learning Park behind Kroger in Sabraton along the rail-trail.Contact : Amanda Lachowski - amanda@deckerscreek.org

Of special interest to us, a bench built by a friend and colleague, Becky Friend, will be dedicated in Bill Grafton's honor.

Look over the list to see if there is a class or two that you might need to fulfill your requirements. Beverly Riffon (Beverly.Riffon@mail.wvu.edu) can let you know what classes you've already taken and what you might still need. But even if you don't need any of these classes, it looks to be a fun weekend.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Adventure Day will be from 1-5pm Sunday. Starting point is at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park. Teams of three can sign up until 5pm Friday. volunteers are also needed to help with the race and community festival. Those interested can call 304-292-3720. For more information about the race and registration forms, go to deckerscreek.org.Proceeds from Adventure Day, which is put on by Friends of Deckers Creek (FODC), Adventure's Edge and WVU's College of Physical Science, keep the lights on and pay for other essential costs at FODC.

Friends of Deckers Creek seeks volunteers for a litter cleanup along Aarons Creek in Morgantown, as part of Worldwide Litter Cleanup Day, on Nov 7. Volunteers should meet at the Friends of Deckers Creek office off WV 7 in Sabraton, behind Rent-a-Center and next to Wendy's at 1pm. Cleanup along Aarons Creek and Green Bag Road will run 1-4pm. Info: brian@deckerscreek.org; (304) 292-3970

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

I wanted to let all of you know that after a couple of very productive meetings and with incredible assistance from Melissa we now have a new structure with which to go forward. With the help of 5 co-coordinators (Rob, Erin, Adolia, Denise and Beverly) I will be leading us on. We will be meeting soon to sketch out the plans for the coming year. I welcome your thoughts. The best way to reach me is through e-mail - I do check it regularly!

I look forward to working with you. You MN candidates please get your hours in to Beverly so we can determine how many graduates we have for 2009 and what to expect for next year.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Brian Carlson was sworn in Americorps VISTA as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Recovery Act is placing an additional 13,000 Americorps members throughout the nation to meet the needs of communities, which are vulnerable during the recession. For 40 Americorps VISTA has been helping bring communities and individuals out of poverty. Today, nearly 7,000 Americorps members serve in hundreds of nonprofit agencies throughout the United States, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, increase housing opportunities, improve environmental conditions and bridge the digital divide. Carlson is part of the Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Team, an organization created by the Office of Surface mining and Americorps, which supports 50-plus VISTAs over the Appalachian region. He will work with Friends of Deckers Creek, a local nonprofit watershed clean-up organization dedicated to the revitalization of the Deckers Creek watershed. He will monitor, assess and map sediment inputs in the watershed, specifically Aarons Creek, that will be prioritized for restoration efforts. He will also recruit and manage volunteers, write grants, sample streams, lead service projects, assist with data analysis and reports and help with fundraising and community outreach events. Currently, he is conducting water quality monitoring throughout the Deckers Creek watershed. A graduate of Ohio State University, Carlson received a bachelor's degree in environmental policy and management. Info: brian@deckerscreek.org or www.deckerscreek.org.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Given the weather forecast for Saturday, the two work projects planned for tomorrow morning at the West Virginia Botanic Garden will be rescheduled. There is a possibility that later on next week George will be planning a bulb planting session. Will keep you posted.

Fall Color Walk led by WVU Arboretum Specialist Jon Weems will be at 2pm at the West Virginia Botanic Garden. Come enjoy and learn about the fall foliage and the old growth forest! Attendees should wear hiking gear, preferably waterproof. The WVBT is located on Tyrone Road off of Route 7.

CHARLESTON -- Red, yellow and golden foliage is abundant across West Virginia but state foresters say the fall colors might not last long. The Division of Forestry said the leaves will drop quickly if the state receives rain that's expected over the next few days. Some areas could even see snow flurries. Foliage across the state range from 85 percent peak to 70 percent.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Mountaineer Audubon is sponsoring a free presentation by Dr Larry Schwab, MD, at 7pm today on the first floor of the Public Safety Building, corner of Spruce and Walnut Streets, downtown Morgantown. The presentation will consist of PowerPoint photographic images of birds of Africa and Central and South America, accompanied by narrative description. Similarities and contrasts of species and colorful and unique bird families will be described, and special experiences with birds recounted. The public is invited to attend. Info: John Super at (304) 292-4336 or at jsuper@WVU.edu or Alan Clark at (724) 437-2524 or at eftwood@juno.com.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Ithaca, NY—What happens in the backyard should not stay in the backyard—at least when it comes to bird feeders. By sharing information about which birds visit their feeders between November and April, backyard bird watchers can help scientists track changes in bird numbers and movements from year to year, through Project FeederWatch, a citizen-science program from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada.

Project FeederWatch begins on November 14 and runs through early April. Taking part is easy. Anyone can count the numbers and kinds of birds at their feeders and enter their information on the FeederWatch website. Participants submitted nearly 117,000 checklists last season. Since 1987, more than 40,000 people from the United States and Canada have taken part in the project.

“To get the most complete picture of bird movements, we always need new sets of eyes to tell us what species are showing up at backyard feeders,” says David Bonter, leader of Project FeederWatch. “Participants always tell us how much fun it is and how good it feels to contribute to our understanding of birds by submitting their sightings.”

Project FeederWatch is for people of all ages and skill levels. To learn more and to sign up, visit www.feederwatch.org or call the Cornell Lab toll-free at (866) 982-2473. In return for the $15 fee ($12 for Cornell Lab members) participants receive the FeederWatcher’s Handbook, an identification poster of the most common feeder birds, a calendar, complete instructions, and Winter Bird Highlights, an annual summary of FeederWatch findings.

Participant Nancy Corr of Harrisburg, Oregon, sums up her Project FeederWatch experience: “Thanks for the wonderful opportunity to share our love of birding and to participate in something meaningful!”

Visit the “Explore Data” section of the website to find the top 25 birds reported in your region and bird summaries by state or province.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a membership institution dedicated to interpreting and conserving the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. Visit the Cornell Lab’s web site at http://www.birds.cornell.edu.

Local watershed clean-up organization, Friends of Deckers Creek (FODC) and Adventure's Edge will host the third annual Deckers Creek Adventure Day at 1pm Oct 25 at Hazel Ruby McQuain Waterfront Park. This event will feature a family friendly, three-hour adventure race, designed by Nathan Kile of the WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. Racers in teams of three decked out in costumes and uniforms will compete in numerous events such as canoeing, biking, foot racing, orienteering and mystery challenges for the title of Adventure Day Champions. Proceeds from the event will go toward FODC and its mission to clean up the Deckers Creek watershed. Anyone who is interested in racing or volunteering for the event should contact FODC at (304) 292-3970. More information at deckerscreek.org.

The Coopers Rock Foundation (CRF) invites area residents to "get down and dirty" by joining foundation members Saturday for The Cliff and Trail Habitat Restoration Day at Coopers Rock State Forest. Volunteers will meet at the "Climbers' Kiosk" in the lefthand corner of the overflow parking area for assignment to work from 11am-4pm. Come for all or part of the day and be prepared to get dirty. Work gloves are helpful. The activity is co-sponsored by CRF, Adventure WV, Adventure's Edge and the WVU Outdoor Recreation Center. Volunteers also are needed for the trailwork marathon Nov 7-8, better known as "The annual Coopers Rock Foundation Halloween Candy Trailwork Weekend." Work times are 10am-6pm Nov 7 and 1-5pm Nov 8. Volunteers are to meet at the entrance to front gate parking lot, also known as the day use parking lot. Info on either event: ARCWVU@gmail.com

Contributors

Please note:

If planning on taking a class at a chapter other than your own, please email/call the contact person listed first to find out if the class is still scheduled, where it is, if they have room for you, and if there is any cost involved. Check also with your own chapter coordinator to see what paperwork you will need in order to get credit for the class.

To see the latest schedules from the other chapters, go to the Master Naturalist website: MNofWV.org